The Perfect Phoenix to Las Vegas Road trip
Here are five incredible stops to make your next Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip a blast.
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The Civic Center Library in Old Scottsdale[/caption]
Our first stop is at the vibrant Old Town Scottsdale. It's a small urban center with buzzing restaurants, retail shops, and around 80 art galleries. We recommend visiting the Little Red Schoolhouse, a historical museum showcasing how the town looked like a century ago. Also, the Scottsdale Rodeo Museum provides a detailed history of Parada Del Sol, the “World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade.” Other tourist activities include backyard axe throwing, surfing in gigantic wave pools, having a family fun day at the Golfland Sunsplash, or zip-lining.
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The Town of Payson[/caption]
Driving on the AZ-87 N route will get you to Payson in about 1 hour 46 minutes. Make a quick stop at this gorgeous little town to eat, ride horses, or fish at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. A 43-minute hike up to the natural limestone bridge, the largest in the world, presents an excellent viewpoint for bird watchers and photographers.
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Montezuma Castle National Monument[/caption]
The Montezuma Castle National Monument is an ancient site located at Camp Verde. It was the third national monument created and is rich in Native American history. Travelers can go on a self-guided tour of the well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings to learn about the Sinagua people that roamed these lands between 600 and 1425 A.D. Near the museum is a 1/3rd mile paved hiking trail ideal for the entire family.
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The Sedona Verde Valley[/caption]
Tucked between the picturesque Woodchute Mountains and Mingus Mountains is Sedona Verde Valley, 280 miles from Las Vegas. Here, travelers can enjoy self-guided 4X4 ATV tours, a hot air balloon ride, watch a Tiger Splash Show at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, or sample fine wines on a tour of the Verde Valley vineyards. And if you are in Sedona for long, go on an epic 4-hour railroad adventure in a vintage train with magnificent open-air views.
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The Hoover Dam[/caption]
Finally, for the last stop, visit the iconic Hoover Dam, located just outside Las Vegas. This man-made wonder that powers Phoenix and Las Vegas was constructed in 1931 for $49 million. It stands majestically at 726 feet tall and stretches 1,244 feet long to create Lake Mead, the largest reservoir nationwide. You can walk on the Hoover Dam bypass bridge to take photos at the observation deck. Alternatively, hop on a helicopter ride and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the lake.
1. Old Town Scottsdale
[caption id="attachment_40701" align="aligncenter" width="633"]
The Civic Center Library in Old Scottsdale[/caption]Our first stop is at the vibrant Old Town Scottsdale. It's a small urban center with buzzing restaurants, retail shops, and around 80 art galleries. We recommend visiting the Little Red Schoolhouse, a historical museum showcasing how the town looked like a century ago. Also, the Scottsdale Rodeo Museum provides a detailed history of Parada Del Sol, the “World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade.” Other tourist activities include backyard axe throwing, surfing in gigantic wave pools, having a family fun day at the Golfland Sunsplash, or zip-lining.
2. Payson, Arizona
[caption id="attachment_40702" align="aligncenter" width="701"]
The Town of Payson[/caption]Driving on the AZ-87 N route will get you to Payson in about 1 hour 46 minutes. Make a quick stop at this gorgeous little town to eat, ride horses, or fish at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. A 43-minute hike up to the natural limestone bridge, the largest in the world, presents an excellent viewpoint for bird watchers and photographers.
3. Montezuma Castle National Monument
[caption id="attachment_40703" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Montezuma Castle National Monument[/caption]The Montezuma Castle National Monument is an ancient site located at Camp Verde. It was the third national monument created and is rich in Native American history. Travelers can go on a self-guided tour of the well-preserved ancient cliff dwellings to learn about the Sinagua people that roamed these lands between 600 and 1425 A.D. Near the museum is a 1/3rd mile paved hiking trail ideal for the entire family.
4. Sedona Verde Valley
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The Sedona Verde Valley[/caption]Tucked between the picturesque Woodchute Mountains and Mingus Mountains is Sedona Verde Valley, 280 miles from Las Vegas. Here, travelers can enjoy self-guided 4X4 ATV tours, a hot air balloon ride, watch a Tiger Splash Show at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, or sample fine wines on a tour of the Verde Valley vineyards. And if you are in Sedona for long, go on an epic 4-hour railroad adventure in a vintage train with magnificent open-air views.
5. Hoover Dam
[caption id="attachment_40705" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
The Hoover Dam[/caption]Finally, for the last stop, visit the iconic Hoover Dam, located just outside Las Vegas. This man-made wonder that powers Phoenix and Las Vegas was constructed in 1931 for $49 million. It stands majestically at 726 feet tall and stretches 1,244 feet long to create Lake Mead, the largest reservoir nationwide. You can walk on the Hoover Dam bypass bridge to take photos at the observation deck. Alternatively, hop on a helicopter ride and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the lake.